Iraq opens Beirut office to oversee Lebanon reconstruction aid

Iraq has opened a permanent office in the Lebanese capital Beirut to oversee its contribution to Lebanon's reconstruction efforts and address the damage caused by Israeli attacks on infrastructure and civilian, health and education facilities across large parts of the country.

A dedicated office was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Iraqi embassy in Beirut to follow up on the implementation of Iraq's reconstruction projects in Lebanon, Iraq's state news agency INA reported.

The new office will be responsible for technical and administrative supervision of Iraqi-funded projects, an official at Baghdad's foreign ministry said, with the aim being to accelerate the implementation of the process and ensure faster completion.

Iraq has previously announced a range of financial and humanitarian assistance packages to Lebanon to help mitigate the impact of Israeli attacks and support the reconstruction of affected sectors.

In November 2024, the Iraqi cabinet approved a voluntary deduction of one percent from the salaries of government employees, to be deposited into support funds for Lebanon and Gaza.

The move was accompanied by the collection of food and medical supplies to be sent as humanitarian aid.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also announced direct financial donations to Lebanon during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Baghdad in January.

An Iraqi government source in Baghdad told The New Arab's Arabic edition that the new office, which includes representatives from the cabinet secretariat, the foreign ministry and the finance ministry, will oversee the execution of projects funded with Iraqi assistance.

The source also revealed that the Iraqi government had instructed the extension of the agreement to supply oil shipments used to operate Lebanon's power stations.

He added that Iraq's state oil marketing company SOMO would renew the fuel supply mechanism to Lebanon in January, maintaining the same processes that are currently in place.

The fuel will continue to be shipped from the southern port of Basra and processed by an intermediary to ensure compatibility with Lebanon's power plants.

The source said Iraq's political and governmental decision to support Lebanon was rooted in principles of Arab and Islamic solidarity, particularly as Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.